The Villainess' Son is Innocent - Chapter 10
Chapter 5.2
The head chef rolled up his sleeves, promising to make it perfect.
And so, after two days, the time had finally arrived to go to the duke’s mansion. When I boarded the carriage, it was just past noon.
“Although I’m not one now, being a Korean does make a difference.”
I proudly examined the several picnic boxes.
Being a true Korean, you should feed those around you well, especially a growing child.
* * *
The mansion of Duke Calixt was truly magnificent.
While neither our house nor the mansion of Duke Lucretius lacked opulence, both estates had a bright atmosphere where grandeur and elegance coexisted, thanks to excellent lighting.
Duke Calixt’s mansion, on the other hand, was the opposite. Seeing the solemn atmosphere of the architectural style, it exuded an intimidating presence, making even casual laughter seem cautious.
“He’s right through here.”
The overseeing butler who welcomed me opened the double doors. Emil had arrived earlier and was sitting on a large sofa.
“Emil, it’s been a week, hasn’t it?”
“…Yeah.”
Inside, a maid was on standby, ready to serve. The butler asked for understanding, explaining that if there were any needs, to please inform the maid, and then left.
With just the two of us, or, three if you included the maid, I quietly asked her standing behind the sofa.
“Did everything I brought turn out okay?”
The maid was delighted to strike up a conversation.
“Yes, it’s all been moved to the kitchen. Everyone is handling it with great care, knowing that Lady Velsia worked hard to prepare it.”
Those desserts just needed to be elegantly arranged on plates, so was there a particular aspect they were concerned about? However, I didn’t mind, as I was looking forward to Emil’s surprised reaction.
“Thank you.”
“It’s an honor. Today…”
Her eyes briefly met Emil’s before dropping. A few things had happened in my previous life that were too much to dismiss as an illusion, so I chuckled silently.
“When we heard that Lady Velsia would be visiting, everyone went into a frenzy.”
That’s nice, but not exactly comforting.
I saw Emil freeze in shock. It must have been strange for him to see a servant acting so kindly. It was the same in the past.
“Well, if it weren’t for Lord Calixt’s invitation, I wouldn’t have come.”
“The young lord…? I assumed it was the duke…”
“It’s a bit embarrassing, but I kept pestering Lord Calixt because I really wanted to get closer to him. Isn’t that right?”
Emil was taken aback by the sudden focus on him.
With a neatly pressed white shirt and well-groomed silver gray hair, I already knew that Emil’s appearance was a deception in the eyes of the duke. He was the duke’s legitimate son, so they provided Emil with clean clothes and quality meals, but that was all.
The servants treated Emil as if he were a chore they had no pleasure in doing.
“…”
“I begged you, until you finally said that I could come. Right, Emil?”
“But it wasn’t my permission…”
“You’re right. The duke granted me permission, but I wouldn’t have come if it weren’t for you in the first place.”
I silently urged Emil to affirm my words. He avoided making eye contact, but he ended up reluctantly agreeing.
“…I guess so.”
The maid couldn’t hide her surprise.
She probably couldn’t understand why I was going through the trouble to befriend Emil. And they would most likely interpret this as: the-saintly-daughter-of-a-noblewoman-finding
the-son-of-a-villainess-pitiable.
By the time I leave this mansion, I’m sure all the servants will think that way. So, to dispel their assumptions, I plan to bring Emil to our house today.
‘Living in a place like this could drive anyone insane.’
It’s easy to sympathize with others, just like I used to before my regression.
Right on cue, the rattling of a trolley in the corridor echoed, signaling the arrival of the food.
“Emil, do you like pie?”
“…Pie?”
“I always make sure to have apple pie about once a week around this time of year.”
It’s really delicious. As I clasped my hands together and expressed my anticipation, curiosity flickered on Emil’s face.
The maid, who kept glancing anywhere but at us, opened the door. Next thing we knew, we were greeted by an array of sumptuous desserts.
Colorful macarons, lightly sugared soft cookies, chocolate cake layered with apricot jam, and a pie filled with fragrant fruits — all of these delicacies were spread before us.
“Start with this pie for Emil, please.”
The maid, who naturally intended to serve me first, stammered in response.
Emil, who was still unfamiliar with all this, picked up a fork. With caution, he tasted the crispy crust, the well-steamed apples with a hint of cinnamon. I observed him closely, moistening my dry mouth with milk.
“…”
Then, with a carefully crafted smile, I asked,
“Does it taste good?”
He followed with a bunch of nods, confirming a positive reaction. His slightly trembling gaze remained fixated on the pie, unmoving.
I had prepared this since I liked apple pie, but it seems I made a good choice. I picked up a cookie and bit into it with a satisfying crunch.
“I’ve only seen things like these in pictures from books.”
The maid, flustered by Emil’s words, nervously glanced in my direction. However, I needed to play the role of an innocent ten-year-old who wouldn’t question what was happening inside this residence.
“Does the duke not like desserts much?”
When I asked, Emil paused, realizing what he had said, and stopped moving his hand.
“…No, he doesn’t.”
“What about you?”
“Me?”
“Yeah, do you think you’ll come to like them?”
Unlike with my previous question, Emil didn’t hesitate this time.
“I think I already do.”
His low voice lingered in my ears.
An odd sense of relief washed over me. I’m glad. In fact, I was so glad that an impulsive remark bursted out of my mouth.
“Well, how about coming to my house?”
I spoke as calmly as possible.
“Why don’t we live together? There’s plenty of this stuff at my house.”
T/N: i apologize for making everyone wait longer these past two weeks! i recently got a pet kitten, and caring for him has taken up all my time (μ_μ) updates should be back on track soon, tho (>ᴗ•)
p.s. merry (late) christmas to those who celebrate it╰(*´︶`*)╯♡
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